Sorting and Stowing Rope - Whales and Whaling pictures 57

Whaling expeditions required miles of the finest quality ropes and here they are on a factory ship on its way to Antarctica being sorted out. Ropes are used primarily by the catcher boats to attach to the harpoons and haul the captured whales in with. If the ropes are not up to standard, then the whale will be lost and the whole enterprise pointless, so great care and expense is spent on the correct choice, purchase and handling of the ropes.

Before reaching the whaling grounds, the ropes must be divided up and stowed aboard the catcher boats so each is always ready to catch the next whale and doesn't waste any time on unprepared rope.